Non-small-cell lung cancer and miRNAs: novel biomarkers and promising tools for treatment

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with approximately 80–85% of cases being non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level by either degradation or inhibition of the translation of target genes. Evidence is mounting that miRNAs exert pivotal effects in the development and progression of human malignancies, including NSCLC. A better understanding of the role that miRNAs play in the disease will contribute to the development of new diagnostic biomarkers and individualized therapeutic tools. In the present review, we briefly describe the role of miRNAs in NSCLC as well as the possible future of these discoveries in clinical applications.